I really wanted to like this book as I have a sister and I am looking for another cozy mystery type series. Unfortunately, I found this story to have I really wanted to like this book as I have a sister and I am looking for another cozy mystery type series. Unfortunately, I found this story to have way too many characters. I never could figure out whose children were whose and which ones were stepchildren. I also was confused about the use of Sister instead of Mary Alice or Patricia Anne and I would have to pause to figure out which one was talking and which one was Sister. The plot was secondary and simplistic. The ending was a quick wrap up. Still not sure why Larry was attacked. Most mysteries have hints along the way. This was a character driven story about wedding planning and pregnancies that threw in a murder mystery in the background....more

A fast moving thriller with a political overtone. I liked how the action moved to different locations all playing out at the same time. It helped bui A fast moving thriller with a political overtone. I liked how the action moved to different locations all playing out at the same time. It helped build the tension. I was very impressed with the author and could not believe it is a debut novel. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is I found it predictable (I guessed what Benjamin Lombard had done early on) and there was too much violence for my personal taste. Murders do not have to be so torturous and graphic to create a thriller....more

I have read the previous 24 Agatha Raisin books and loved them all, but I have to agree with other reviewers to question whether M.C. Beaton really w I have read the previous 24 Agatha Raisin books and loved them all, but I have to agree with other reviewers to question whether M.C. Beaton really wrote this one. I am a doubter for the following reasons: 1. This is not a cozy mystery. The style of murder and body disposal is macabre and disgusting. 2. Agatha usually chases after one man in each book, not 4 as she did in this book creating too many characters and too many side stories. 3. The writing seemed choppy and disjointed. 4. Too much redundancy. In previous books, James, Charles, Mrs. Bloxby, and Roy Silver had their relationship to Agatha shared the first time they entered the story, not every time the came and went. 5. Lastly, what about the crazy ending? Beaton's books are always tied up. No remaining questions. But was Gwen involved or not? And why introduce Jill Davant? ...more

This is my first book by Ruth Rendell who has published over 60 books. The Girl Next Door is a character driven plot. Now in their seventies, some ne This is my first book by Ruth Rendell who has published over 60 books. The Girl Next Door is a character driven plot. Now in their seventies, some neighborhood friends are reunited when a construction site reveals the skeletons of 2 hands in a 1940's biscuit tin. From the reunion, Alan and Daphne rekindle a long lost love (or lust), Michael learns more about the father and mother who abandoned him, Rosemary (my personal favorite) finds her true self and Lewis learns about his Uncle James who had suddenly vanished during the war. I enjoyed the main story line and sub story lines very much. I am giving the book only a 3 star rating as I found the writing difficult at times. I found myself rereading a sentence as the flow seemed marred. Many times, the author wrote "too to" without any commas and it threw me. Also, she has a tendency to end sentences with prepositions which maybe is acceptable now, but I was always taught was incorrect. ...more

I have read many of James Patterson's books. They are my go-to books for a quick read. This is my first Private book. It will be my last. The writing I have read many of James Patterson's books. They are my go-to books for a quick read. This is my first Private book. It will be my last. The writing seems clipped. Paetro must be influenced by the old Dragnet series, "Just the facts, mam, just the facts." There are no likable characters. There are too many story lines, none being developed enough for the reader to care. The ending is abrupt. Did Paetro reach the publisher's allotted page count and so wrapped all story lines in 2 pages? Also, why Vegas? The majority of the story takes place in LA. ...more

I could never get into the very popular TV show even though I like Angela Lansbury. So, I was a little reluctant to try a book based on the series, b I could never get into the very popular TV show even though I like Angela Lansbury. So, I was a little reluctant to try a book based on the series, but I have an upcoming trip to Maui and wanted to read a fiction book based there. I enjoyed the background information about Maui--want to go see Haleakala sunrise--by car, definitely not bike. I also enjoyed the Hawaiian words used for titles. I did not enjoy the writing. It was very poorly written. It was a tell-not-show writing technique possibly on a 4th grade level. Why must Jessica constantly mentally review what she has discovered so far. Does the author think his readers can't remember? Does the author also need to continually state the obvious? The plot was not very original and the murderer was obvious far too soon. Throwing in the disappearance of Koko was not developed enough to add suspense. ...more

Another great page-turner from Harlan Coben. Atlantic, NJ Detective Broome is haunted by a 17 year old cold case involving the disappearance of Stewa Another great page-turner from Harlan Coben. Atlantic, NJ Detective Broome is haunted by a 17 year old cold case involving the disappearance of Stewart Green. Broome discovers a pattern of a man vanishing every year on Mardi Gras. This leads Broome to Megan aka Cassie who is happily married with 2 children, but hiding a 17 year old secret. Coben takes the reader on a suspense building journey with a satisfying, but unexpected conclusion. ...more

I have read every Mary Higgins Clark book. I usually devour them. This one, I did not. It was easy to read--short chapters, moves quickly, interestin I have read every Mary Higgins Clark book. I usually devour them. This one, I did not. It was easy to read--short chapters, moves quickly, interesting premise, likable characters. I just did not feel the suspense develop with the main plot. Yes, it did with the subplot involving Laurie and her son Timmy, but it seems like I've read that one before. As for the main plot--Laurie is a producer of a new TV series called Under Suspicion. She recreates old cold cases and reunites the family and friends and suspects from the murder. Her first one is the reinvestigation of the 20 year old cold case of Betsy Powell, who was murdered in her own home on the night of the Graduation Gala she hosted for her daughter, Claire and Claire's 3 close friends. Of course, all of them had reasons to kill Betsy as did her husband and housekeeper. Laurie brings them back to the house and while filming and interviewing them, the murder is solved. I guessed the murderer long before it was revealed which I usually do not do with a Mary Higgins Clark. I also think that the hint of romance the author likes, this one with Laurie and Alex, was too slight to be included. It seems I have read too many of her books, or she just pulled out her go-to formula for this one....more

This is the fifth Regan Reilly mystery I have read and it is either the worst or I have outgrown her. Here is my take:Pros--Love the characters and thThis is the fifth Regan Reilly mystery I have read and it is either the worst or I have outgrown her. Here is my take:Pros--Love the characters and they are well developed Quick, short and easy to read Subplots are interesting and suspenseful

Cons--Too predictable for the main plot Formulaic writing--must every chapter end with a questioning statement as if the reader isn't already thinking it? Reading level of upper elementary school Not only is the author benifitting from her mother's (Mary Higgins Clark) fame, but she always references Regan's famous mystery writer mom, Nora, which added nothing to this story.

Although this murder mystery was a bit too macabre for me, I was fascinated with the investigation being done by a profiler. Most mysteries feature a Although this murder mystery was a bit too macabre for me, I was fascinated with the investigation being done by a profiler. Most mysteries feature a detective as the main character, Hugo Marsten is a profiler assigned to the US Embassy in France. When a US Senator's son and his girlfriend are found murdered in a Paris cemetery, Marsten is assigned the case. His friend and roommate, Tom Green, a CIA agent who investigates terrorist activity and finds suspected terrorists is also assigned the case when the girlfriend is found to have links with a known terrorist. What is fascinating is how Hugo and Tom work both with each other and against each other in sharing information. What keeps the reader going is the murderer, Claude Villier, his rather bizarre activity and the question of his motivation....more

I can't believe at the age of 65, I am finally reading my first Agatha Christie book!!!! Yes, I have seen 2 movies based on her books, but this is my I can't believe at the age of 65, I am finally reading my first Agatha Christie book!!!! Yes, I have seen 2 movies based on her books, but this is my first read. I loved this book. Eight guests are mysteriously invited to Soldier Island by a Mr. U.N. Owen. When they arrive, he is nowhere in sight, but his newly hired employees, Mr.and Mrs. Rogers welcome them. Following written instructions, Mr. Rogers puts a record on the gramophone that addresses the fact that each of the 10 people on the island has been responsible for someone's murder. With the background of a child's nursery rhyme called 10 Little Soldiers, the guests succumb one by one. I was kept guessing as the story unfolded. I constantly was changing my suspect as to who was U.N. Owen and who would be the last man/woman alive. ...more

J.P. Beaumont and his partner and wife, Mel Soames are summoned to the Governor's mansion in Olympia after she discovers a disturbing video on her st J.P. Beaumont and his partner and wife, Mel Soames are summoned to the Governor's mansion in Olympia after she discovers a disturbing video on her step-grandson's phone. The video is a snuff film of a young girl who appears to being playing the hanging game, but is killed in the process. I enjoyed this book as it is set in my home town, but I did find it predictable and figured out the real criminals fairly soon. ...more

Poor Agatha! Always seeking love, but maybe too desperately. Agatha Raisin, along with most of the other village ladies, is smitten with her gardene Poor Agatha! Always seeking love, but maybe too desperately. Agatha Raisin, along with most of the other village ladies, is smitten with her gardener, George Marsten. Unfortunately, Agatha finds him dead with a bag of adders around his head. George has been quite a philanderer in 2 villages and Agatha has to investigate many, many possible suspects. Although, I have loved all of the Agatha Raisin books (mainly because I love the characters), I gave this one only 3 stars as it was just too complicated. It seemed to drag on with too many possible suspects. I didn't feel the Frasers added anything to the story and it is farfetched how the snake books happened to be buried in their backyard. I did like the interaction with her long-time friend Charles Fraith. Will they ever marry? What are James Lacey's intentions? Although they are divorced, James keeps a close proximity, both physically and emotionally....more

It is three days before Christmas and 13 year old Gracie Phipps meets eight year old, Minnie Maud Mudway who is searching for her uncle's lost donkey It is three days before Christmas and 13 year old Gracie Phipps meets eight year old, Minnie Maud Mudway who is searching for her uncle's lost donkey. Both girls live in poverty in Victorian London and speak with a cockney dialect. Minnie's Uncle Alf, a rag and bone man has been killed and his cart and donkey have disappeared. With the help of shop owner Mr. Balthasar (a Christmas wiseman?) the mystery is solved. I previously read A Christmas Journey and enjoyed it. I felt this book is a real stretch to call it a Christmas book. It does wrap up on Christmas Eve at a living reenactment of the Nativity, but that is the only tie in with Christmas. The cockney dialect was challenging, but rewarding to figure out, but I also found it annoying and unnecessary....more

This is an interesting plot linking execution of murderers 165 years apart. Frankie Silver is arrested, tried and found guilty of murdering her husb This is an interesting plot linking execution of murderers 165 years apart. Frankie Silver is arrested, tried and found guilty of murdering her husband in 1832. Fate Harkryder has been on death row for 20 years for the murders of two hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Sheriff Spencer Arrowood has received notice that he must witness the execution of Harkryder, but he is haunted by the feeling that Fate is not guilty. His reinvestigation of this 20 year old case prompts him to also reinvestigate the case of Frankie Silver. McCrumb writes an excellent story with great characterization. I found it tedious at times especially when she describes the 1832 Morganton residents whom all seem to be related by marriage. It was beginning to sound like the Bible with all the begats. In her author's notes, she explains why she felt the need to do this. She also threw in two other murders--one current(no need for it all) and one involving an attorney shooting another attorney in a courtroom (added to show the injustice of Frankie's sentence), but I felt they interfered with the flow of the story....more

I am a big fan of Mary Higgins Clark's books. I have read every one. This one is the first that has disappointed me. Usually, I cannot put her books I am a big fan of Mary Higgins Clark's books. I have read every one. This one is the first that has disappointed me. Usually, I cannot put her books down. I love how the suspense builds and I often am wrong at the end when I discover who really did it. Well, there was no real suspense and I guessed who did it when he was first introduced early in the book. I dragged myself to the end only because it was interesting about whether there was an authentic document in Christ's writing to Joseph of Arimathea....more

As usual, Meg Lanslow gets unwillingly involved in a murder mystery, but this time with a new sidekick--a two-year old toddler! When Meg's distant fr As usual, Meg Lanslow gets unwillingly involved in a murder mystery, but this time with a new sidekick--a two-year old toddler! When Meg's distant friend asks her to take care of Timmy for "just a little while," Meg gets concerned when she does not return for days. Meg goes on a search for her friend, Karen, only to discover Karen's slain husband. Adding to the complications in her life are Meg's family members who bring snakes into her basement, rare finches to her bedroom and who cleverly disappear when needed. Although I have really loved every Meg Lanslow I have read, I got a little impatient with this one. I guess I don't need the full background of each of her family members/friends anymore. I also felt there was entirely too much thought sharing and it interfered with the flow of the plot. ...more

This is the seventh book in the Myron Bolitar series, but the second one I have read. I love the cast of characters--1.Myron, a 34 year-old Sports ag This is the seventh book in the Myron Bolitar series, but the second one I have read. I love the cast of characters--1.Myron, a 34 year-old Sports agent who is still a bachelor, still trying to grow up and still trying to find himself after the path to becoming a professional basketball player was abruptly halted when he suffered a career-stopping injury 2. Win, Myron's very wealthy former college roommate who's moral compass is slightly, but justifiably askew 3. Esperanza, Myron's office assistant and law school graduate who used to be a professional female wrestler. In this book, Myron is dealing with father/son/father issues. His parents decide to sell the large family home after Myron's father has a heart attack. Myron's college girlfriend, whom he had a final one-night stand with the night before her wedding reappears to inform him that he is the biological father of her 13 year-old son, Jeremy. She needs Myron's detective skills to find the only registered bone marrow donor match to save Jeremy's life. The donor has disappeared. Thus the mystery begins. There are the usual twists and turns one expects in a Coben mystery, but I did not find this one as suspenseful as his stand alones. Although I like the character of Myron, I was sometimes annoyed with his smart aleck wittiness as I felt it slowed down the dialogue exchange especially when conversing with the feds. I would have liked more Batman/Robin interaction between Myron and Win. Overall, I still really like Coben and will read the rest of the series....more